Donate

A Life Beyond Amazing

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah

July 2, 2019

27:29

Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah

Closed captions

A Life Beyond Amazing

Show timecode

Hide timecode

- Dr. David Jeremiah: Each
00:00:01.250 --> 00:00:04.250
of us has just one life to live.
00:00:05.260 --> 00:00:08.260
Our life should count.
00:00:08.260 --> 00:00:11.040
It should matter.
00:00:11.040 --> 00:00:13.180
It should have purpose and,
00:00:13.180 --> 00:00:14.220
frankly, it should be amazing.
00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:20.160
But as I look around me, I
00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:22.070
see lives lived in disarray,
00:00:22.070 --> 00:00:24.290
in defeat, and discouragement.
00:00:25.060 --> 00:00:28.060
I've been deeply burdened about
00:00:28.060 --> 00:00:29.120
this because, you see,
00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:31.020
an unfulfilled life
00:00:31.020 --> 00:00:32.080
is just no way to exist.
00:00:32.080 --> 00:00:34.220
And from what I read in the
00:00:34.220 --> 00:00:36.030
Scripture, God promises us
00:00:36.030 --> 00:00:38.020
a life of blessings beyond our
00:00:38.020 --> 00:00:39.290
comprehension, literally a life
00:00:40.190 --> 00:00:43.190
beyond amazing.
00:00:44.070 --> 00:00:47.070
So I asked a few friends
00:00:47.070 --> 00:00:48.170
of mine, friends who I believe
00:00:48.190 --> 00:00:51.190
demonstrate a life beyond
00:00:51.190 --> 00:00:53.000
amazing, to sit down together
00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:55.090
with me and discuss
00:00:55.090 --> 00:00:56.230
what it takes to live a vibrant
00:00:56.230 --> 00:00:59.150
and victorious life.
00:00:59.150 --> 00:01:02.110
We gathered together for a meal
00:01:02.110 --> 00:01:03.190
in San Diego and what
00:01:03.190 --> 00:01:05.140
you're about to see is a part
00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:07.200
- Dr. Jeremiah: I wanna thank
00:01:16.290 --> 00:01:17.230
you for joining me today
00:01:17.230 --> 00:01:18.240
for this amazing discussion.
00:01:19.140 --> 00:01:22.140
Somebody asked me one day,
00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:23.160
"Well, since we live
00:01:23.160 --> 00:01:24.200
in this kind of time,
00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:26.190
what should we be focusing on?"
00:01:26.190 --> 00:01:28.270
And everybody wants to know what
00:01:28.270 --> 00:01:30.000
to do, and I think God cares
00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.070
more about who we are,
00:01:32.070 --> 00:01:34.000
what kind of people we are.
00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:35.200
There's a bridge between when
00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:37.050
you become a Christian and when
00:01:37.050 --> 00:01:38.190
you go to heaven, and it should
00:01:38.190 --> 00:01:40.140
be making a difference
00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:41.250
in our lives.
00:01:41.250 --> 00:01:43.050
And in this discussion today,
00:01:43.050 --> 00:01:45.050
we're gonna look at some
00:01:45.050 --> 00:01:46.250
of those characteristics and ask
00:01:46.250 --> 00:01:48.150
ourselves is there something
00:01:48.150 --> 00:01:50.110
we should be doing to move this
00:01:50.110 --> 00:01:52.200
along because the fact is that
00:01:52.200 --> 00:01:54.280
the Holy Spirit gives us these
00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:57.170
qualities, they're gifts,
00:01:57.170 --> 00:01:59.190
but what most people
00:01:59.190 --> 00:02:00.170
don't understand,
00:02:00.170 --> 00:02:01.120
you've gotta open a gift.
00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:02.130
You've gotta receive it.
00:02:02.130 --> 00:02:03.190
You've gotta put it to work.
00:02:03.190 --> 00:02:05.040
And the Bible doesn't have any
00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:06.170
problem helping us understand
00:02:06.170 --> 00:02:08.020
that while the Holy Spirit
00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:09.100
is giving us all these gifts,
00:02:09.100 --> 00:02:11.220
we are commanded
00:02:11.220 --> 00:02:12.210
to put them into operation.
00:02:12.210 --> 00:02:15.170
You all know the Scripture where
00:02:15.170 --> 00:02:16.210
it says, "Jesus came that we
00:02:16.210 --> 00:02:18.050
might have life, and that we
00:02:18.050 --> 00:02:19.100
might have it more abundantly."
00:02:19.100 --> 00:02:21.150
Most Christians I know hear
00:02:21.150 --> 00:02:22.200
that and they think
00:02:22.200 --> 00:02:23.210
that it's talking about heaven.
00:02:23.210 --> 00:02:25.010
But Jesus wasn't talking
00:02:25.010 --> 00:02:26.040
about heaven.
00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:26.200
He's talking about life now.
00:02:26.200 --> 00:02:28.080
So here's my question.
00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:29.120
Do you think most Christians
00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:30.130
today are living a life
00:02:30.130 --> 00:02:32.220
beyond amazing?
00:02:32.220 --> 00:02:34.140
- Mandisa: Abundantly, for me,
00:02:34.140 --> 00:02:35.180
when I think about living life
00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:36.250
fully in relationship with the
00:02:36.250 --> 00:02:38.240
Lord and walking with the
00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:40.270
authority that I know that he's
00:02:40.270 --> 00:02:41.230
given me, I think very few of us
00:02:41.230 --> 00:02:43.120
are doing that but I think
00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:45.150
it's because it's hard to do
00:02:45.150 --> 00:02:47.030
something that you've not seen
00:02:47.030 --> 00:02:48.050
patterned for you so I feel
00:02:48.050 --> 00:02:49.240
like, hopefully, this discussion
00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.050
will maybe give a pattern.
00:02:51.050 --> 00:02:52.230
- Dr. Jeremiah: A lot of the
00:02:52.230 --> 00:02:53.240
Christian language that we hear
00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:55.030
today is a discussion of things
00:02:55.030 --> 00:02:57.040
that people know about
00:02:57.060 --> 00:03:00.080
but they don't live it.
00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:02.080
Do we all here at this table
00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:03.080
agree that it's possible
00:03:03.080 --> 00:03:05.090
that we could live that life?
00:03:05.090 --> 00:03:06.250
I mean, 'cause if we don't agree
00:03:06.250 --> 00:03:07.260
that, we should just eat our
00:03:07.260 --> 00:03:09.070
dinner and go home, you know?
00:03:09.070 --> 00:03:11.010
- David Green: To me,
00:03:11.010 --> 00:03:12.030
an abundant life with Jesus is
00:03:12.030 --> 00:03:13.140
all about following after him.
00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:17.000
I think that's when we see
00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:17.250
abundant life, is when we follow
00:03:17.250 --> 00:03:20.010
after him and try to walk
00:03:20.010 --> 00:03:21.050
with him as close as we can.
00:03:21.050 --> 00:03:23.050
Not that I've always done that,
00:03:23.050 --> 00:03:24.220
but I see that that's when we
00:03:24.220 --> 00:03:25.230
can live that abundant life.
00:03:25.230 --> 00:03:27.240
- Dr. Jeremiah: And you know
00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:28.250
that translates into the kind of
00:03:28.250 --> 00:03:29.230
life that the Bible talks about.
00:03:29.230 --> 00:03:31.130
Kirk, I know enough about
00:03:31.130 --> 00:03:32.150
the athletic world to know
00:03:32.150 --> 00:03:33.140
that there's a fine line between
00:03:33.140 --> 00:03:35.000
living your faith on the field
00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:37.220
and being the person everybody
00:03:37.220 --> 00:03:39.200
watches, and the abundant life
00:03:39.200 --> 00:03:41.200
is possible even in the NFL?
00:03:41.200 --> 00:03:43.120
- Kirk Cousins:
00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:44.070
Sure, absolutely.
00:03:44.070 --> 00:03:45.010
I think that through the NFL,
00:03:45.010 --> 00:03:46.100
you know, the Lord is certainly
00:03:46.100 --> 00:03:48.000
teaching me a lot.
00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:48.230
And so it's required great faith
00:03:48.230 --> 00:03:50.050
and I get on the bus every game
00:03:50.050 --> 00:03:52.130
wondering, you know,
00:03:52.130 --> 00:03:53.170
if something happens today what
00:03:53.170 --> 00:03:54.170
does that mean for my future,
00:03:54.170 --> 00:03:55.220
what does that mean
00:03:55.220 --> 00:03:56.180
for my security?
00:03:56.180 --> 00:03:57.080
And the Lord's teaching me,
00:03:57.080 --> 00:03:58.000
"Kirk, your security's not
00:03:58.000 --> 00:03:59.020
in a contract.
00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:01.040
Your security's
00:04:01.040 --> 00:04:01.280
not in touchdown passes.
00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:03.020
Your security's in me.
00:04:03.020 --> 00:04:03.270
Just trust me."
00:04:03.270 --> 00:04:04.240
And so the Lord has used the NFL
00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:06.240
to take me on a faith lesson
00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:07.290
and, as a result, I come out
00:04:07.290 --> 00:04:09.040
looking back, saying,
00:04:09.040 --> 00:04:10.250
"What an abundant life
00:04:10.250 --> 00:04:11.280
he's allowed me to live."
00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.250
Doesn't mean it was easy,
00:04:12.250 --> 00:04:14.040
doesn't mean it was always what
00:04:14.040 --> 00:04:15.170
I wanted, but it's been
00:04:15.170 --> 00:04:16.250
an adventure, it's been
00:04:16.250 --> 00:04:17.220
a worthwhile adventure,
00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:19.010
and hearing and responding
00:04:19.010 --> 00:04:20.260
to the voice of God, as David
00:04:20.260 --> 00:04:22.260
mentioned, as you have said,
00:04:22.260 --> 00:04:24.090
is a key part to living that
00:04:24.090 --> 00:04:25.240
abundant life.
00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:26.210
- Dr. Jeremiah: Right, amen.
00:04:26.210 --> 00:04:27.160
- Bobby Schuller: Yeah, I think
00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:28.120
when you ask are there some
00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:29.210
Christians that are leading
00:04:29.210 --> 00:04:31.060
a life beyond amazing,
00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:32.030
there absolutely are.
00:04:32.030 --> 00:04:32.280
And, in fact, I sometimes think
00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:34.120
they're the only ones
00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:35.070
that are doing it.
00:04:35.070 --> 00:04:36.010
There's a lot of Christians
00:04:36.010 --> 00:04:36.280
that aren't but I wouldn't be
00:04:36.280 --> 00:04:38.020
a believer if I didn't see other
00:04:38.020 --> 00:04:39.220
believers living amazing lives.
00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:41.270
And I think you sort of
00:04:41.270 --> 00:04:42.230
have two messages.
00:04:42.230 --> 00:04:43.200
You have the one from the world
00:04:43.200 --> 00:04:44.190
that says, "A life beyond
00:04:44.190 --> 00:04:45.240
amazing is if you travel a lot
00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:47.070
and if you have a lot of fun
00:04:47.070 --> 00:04:48.150
experiences or you make tons of
00:04:48.150 --> 00:04:49.190
money, if you do these things,"
00:04:49.190 --> 00:04:51.000
but the believers are saying,
00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:52.040
"No, there's a life that's
00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:52.290
amazing if you follow Jesus' way
00:04:52.290 --> 00:04:54.180
which means serving others,
00:04:54.180 --> 00:04:56.000
being generous, bonding deeply
00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:57.280
with others, being vulnerable,
00:04:57.280 --> 00:05:00.210
letting go of shame, believing
00:05:00.210 --> 00:05:02.130
in God's love," and there's two
00:05:02.130 --> 00:05:04.040
very different messages and
00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:05.210
that's why I think one of the
00:05:05.210 --> 00:05:07.070
best ways to lead people
00:05:07.070 --> 00:05:08.230
to Christ is to lead the amazing
00:05:08.230 --> 00:05:10.290
life Jesus has called us to.
00:05:10.290 --> 00:05:12.150
- Dr. Jeremiah: Amen.
00:05:12.150 --> 00:05:13.140
- Mandisa:
00:05:13.140 --> 00:05:14.070
Jesus is after a relationship.
00:05:14.070 --> 00:05:15.030
It's not just about
00:05:15.030 --> 00:05:15.230
Sunday morning participation.
00:05:15.230 --> 00:05:17.110
It really is about a life that
00:05:17.110 --> 00:05:18.200
you live every single day
00:05:18.200 --> 00:05:19.270
in relationship with the Lord.
00:05:19.270 --> 00:05:21.130
And I think it's just so easy
00:05:21.130 --> 00:05:22.220
for us to look at the outside,
00:05:22.220 --> 00:05:24.280
what we see in our churches
00:05:24.280 --> 00:05:26.070
on Sunday mornings, and to think
00:05:26.070 --> 00:05:27.180
that that's all there is to it.
00:05:27.180 --> 00:05:28.260
I think that we are missing
00:05:28.260 --> 00:05:30.040
what he's really after,
00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:31.160
and that's after relationship.
00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:33.020
- David: We talk about faith
00:05:33.020 --> 00:05:34.030
but what is true faith
00:05:34.030 --> 00:05:35.280
in God's Word?
00:05:35.280 --> 00:05:36.260
And I think when we have
00:05:36.260 --> 00:05:37.260
the true faith in God's Word
00:05:37.260 --> 00:05:39.070
then we will walk it out.
00:05:39.070 --> 00:05:40.240
And I think that hopefully
00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:42.040
happens in our life, that we'll
00:05:42.040 --> 00:05:43.250
walk closer to him and realize
00:05:43.250 --> 00:05:45.220
that our faith in God
00:05:45.220 --> 00:05:46.260
and walking in his ways,
00:05:46.260 --> 00:05:49.190
that we'll see a different life.
00:05:49.250 --> 00:05:52.250
- Kirk: You know, the Bible
00:05:52.250 --> 00:05:53.200
says in Jeremiah that you will
00:05:53.200 --> 00:05:55.240
find me, the Lord says, when
00:05:55.240 --> 00:05:57.240
you seek me with all your heart.
00:05:57.240 --> 00:05:59.210
When it's not just a Sunday
00:05:59.210 --> 00:06:00.230
church attendance, check
00:06:00.230 --> 00:06:01.220
the box, but when you give your
00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:03.000
whole heart and you go all in,
00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:05.040
that's when God shows up and
00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:06.090
so I think that's the challenge
00:06:06.090 --> 00:06:07.140
is to live a life where
00:06:07.140 --> 00:06:08.120
we go all in with
00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:09.130
God and then watch him show up.
00:06:09.130 --> 00:06:10.220
- Dr. Jeremiah: Right, that's
00:06:10.220 --> 00:06:11.210
a good experience to have.
00:06:11.210 --> 00:06:14.040
- Dr. Jeremiah: As I sat with
00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:14.270
my friends and reflected on what
00:06:14.270 --> 00:06:16.010
was shared, I was reminded that
00:06:16.010 --> 00:06:18.080
a life beyond amazing
00:06:18.080 --> 00:06:20.110
is the kind of life God
00:06:20.110 --> 00:06:21.150
wants us to live.
00:06:21.150 --> 00:06:23.240
How nine decisions rooted
00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:25.210
in the Spirit can transform us,
00:06:25.210 --> 00:06:27.260
empower us, and deliver a life,
00:06:27.260 --> 00:06:30.230
- announcer: What are the signs
00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:41.150
of a life beyond amazing?
00:06:41.150 --> 00:06:43.180
Among them, joy that is not
00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:45.080
dependent on circumstance,
00:06:45.080 --> 00:06:46.290
integrity that settles
00:06:46.290 --> 00:06:47.270
for no exceptions,
00:06:47.270 --> 00:06:49.070
and self-discipline
00:06:49.070 --> 00:06:50.170
that stands firm.
00:06:50.170 --> 00:06:52.130
But how do you get them
00:06:52.130 --> 00:06:53.150
into your life?
00:06:53.150 --> 00:06:54.270
It takes a decision; actually,
00:06:54.270 --> 00:06:56.190
nine decisions each day
00:06:56.190 --> 00:06:58.250
to commit these into your heart
00:06:58.250 --> 00:07:00.130
and actions.
00:07:00.130 --> 00:07:01.270
Discover the steps to the life
00:07:01.270 --> 00:07:03.070
of blessings God has for you
00:07:03.070 --> 00:07:05.090
in Dr. David Jeremiah's
00:07:05.090 --> 00:07:06.150
inspiring book,
00:07:06.150 --> 00:07:07.240
"A Life Beyond Amazing:
00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:09.180
9 Decisions That Will Transform
00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:10.260
Your Life Today."
00:07:10.260 --> 00:07:13.000
Order this transformational book
00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:14.230
from Dr. Jeremiah today when you
00:07:14.230 --> 00:07:16.190
give a gift of any amount
00:07:16.190 --> 00:07:18.000
in support of this program,
00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.140
and if you give $60 or more,
00:07:19.140 --> 00:07:21.210
Dr. Jeremiah will send you
00:07:21.210 --> 00:07:23.120
in appreciation,
00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:24.200
his comprehensive
00:07:24.200 --> 00:07:26.020
"A Life Beyond Amazing" set.
00:07:26.020 --> 00:07:28.050
It contains his book, his entire
00:07:28.050 --> 00:07:30.050
teaching series on CD or DVD,
00:07:30.050 --> 00:07:32.160
a correlating study guide,
00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:33.280
and the "Life Beyond Amazing"
00:07:33.280 --> 00:07:35.140
Scripture cards.
00:07:35.140 --> 00:07:37.130
Also available, the "30 Days
00:07:37.130 --> 00:07:39.080
to a Life Beyond Amazing"
00:07:39.080 --> 00:07:40.180
workbook.
00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:41.190
Implement the 9 key decisions
00:07:41.190 --> 00:07:43.120
from "A Life Beyond Amazing"
00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:44.260
in powerful and practical ways;
00:07:44.260 --> 00:07:47.080
plus, it includes a DVD
00:07:47.080 --> 00:07:49.040
with video instructions
00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:50.000
from Dr. Jeremiah, available
00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:52.010
on its own for $30 or more
00:07:52.010 --> 00:07:54.080
or as part of
00:07:54.080 --> 00:07:55.130
"A Life Beyond Amazing" set
00:07:55.130 --> 00:07:57.070
for a gift of $85 or more.
00:07:57.070 --> 00:08:00.050
Decide today to start living
00:08:00.050 --> 00:08:02.040
a life beyond what you thought
00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:03.200
possible, a life beyond amazing.
00:08:03.200 --> 00:08:06.070
Order these resources when you
00:08:06.070 --> 00:08:07.170
- Dr. Jeremiah: What kind
00:08:20.020 --> 00:08:20.240
of people do we need
00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:21.220
to be to live in this culture
00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:24.040
that is so messed up and hard to
00:08:24.040 --> 00:08:26.150
define and we don't know where
00:08:26.150 --> 00:08:28.070
it's going and it always ends up
00:08:28.070 --> 00:08:29.280
where we didn't think
00:08:29.280 --> 00:08:30.220
it would be?
00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:33.110
We are told that
00:08:33.110 --> 00:08:34.100
when the Holy Spirit
00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:35.210
completely controls the life
00:08:35.210 --> 00:08:37.150
of a believer, this is what
00:08:37.150 --> 00:08:39.190
it will look like:
00:08:39.190 --> 00:08:41.070
the fruit of the Spirit is love,
00:08:41.070 --> 00:08:43.060
joy, peace, longsuffering,
00:08:43.060 --> 00:08:45.010
kindness, goodness,
00:08:45.010 --> 00:08:46.110
faithfulness, gentleness,
00:08:46.110 --> 00:08:47.170
and self-control.
00:08:47.170 --> 00:08:50.030
God's description of a man
00:08:50.030 --> 00:08:52.070
for all seasons.
00:08:52.070 --> 00:08:54.200
So in response to the question,
00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:56.200
"What kind of people should we
00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:57.170
be at such a time in history
00:08:57.170 --> 00:08:59.120
as this," here is God's answer.
00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:01.140
He calls us to be people of love
00:09:01.140 --> 00:09:03.050
and joy and peace.
00:09:03.050 --> 00:09:05.210
He wants us to have
00:09:05.210 --> 00:09:06.240
endurance in our lives.
00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:08.070
He wants us to have compassion
00:09:08.070 --> 00:09:10.000
for those who need our help.
00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:11.280
We should be people
00:09:11.280 --> 00:09:12.280
of generosity.
00:09:12.280 --> 00:09:14.200
This is God's ideal person
00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:16.080
and, believe it or not,
00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:17.230
we can become like that.
00:09:17.230 --> 00:09:19.070
We were meant to be like that.
00:09:19.070 --> 00:09:20.130
Could I just say it this way?
00:09:20.130 --> 00:09:22.170
Christ died so that we could be
00:09:22.170 --> 00:09:24.060
that kind of a person.
00:09:24.060 --> 00:09:26.200
The Lord Jesus Christ said
00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:27.270
in John 10:10, "I have come
00:09:27.270 --> 00:09:30.040
that they might have life,
00:09:30.040 --> 00:09:32.180
and that they might have it
00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:33.290
more abundantly."
00:09:33.290 --> 00:09:36.180
Sounds like life beyond amazing.
00:09:37.060 --> 00:09:40.060
But there are some roadblocks
00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:41.270
that we need to get out
00:09:41.270 --> 00:09:42.260
of the way if we're gonna get
00:09:42.260 --> 00:09:45.030
to the place we wanna be.
00:09:45.030 --> 00:09:47.270
If there's a gap between
00:09:47.270 --> 00:09:48.280
the promise of what our Lord
00:09:48.280 --> 00:09:50.250
wants us to have
00:09:50.250 --> 00:09:51.280
and what we're experiencing,
00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:53.210
what is causing it?
00:09:53.210 --> 00:09:55.090
What is happening to us that
00:09:55.090 --> 00:09:56.110
this abundant life that Jesus
00:09:56.130 --> 00:09:59.130
died for so that we could have
00:09:59.130 --> 00:10:01.020
it seems to always be at the end
00:10:01.020 --> 00:10:03.270
of our fingers but not quite
00:10:03.270 --> 00:10:05.040
in our grasp.
00:10:05.040 --> 00:10:06.280
And I'd like to suggest
00:10:06.280 --> 00:10:07.290
to you the three things that
00:10:07.290 --> 00:10:09.180
I've thought of in preparation
00:10:09.180 --> 00:10:10.210
for this that might help us
00:10:10.210 --> 00:10:12.220
understand this a little bit.
00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:14.200
First of all, I think for many
00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:16.130
of us, we misunderstand
00:10:16.130 --> 00:10:17.230
our salvation.
00:10:17.230 --> 00:10:20.120
Most Christians today
00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:21.170
view salvation strictly
00:10:21.170 --> 00:10:22.290
in the past tense.
00:10:23.170 --> 00:10:26.170
Salvation is something
00:10:26.170 --> 00:10:27.140
that has happened to us.
00:10:27.140 --> 00:10:29.070
It's history.
00:10:29.070 --> 00:10:30.090
Our salvation, according to many
00:10:30.090 --> 00:10:32.160
Christians, is a done thing.
00:10:33.090 --> 00:10:36.090
But the Bible doesn't view
00:10:36.090 --> 00:10:37.070
salvation like that,
00:10:37.070 --> 00:10:38.200
men and women.
00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.190
The Bible views salvation
00:10:39.190 --> 00:10:40.210
in three different tenses.
00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:43.240
The Bible views salvation
00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:45.090
like this.
00:10:45.090 --> 00:10:47.080
I have been saved.
00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:48.120
If I've trusted Jesus Christ as
00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:49.150
my Savior, as many of you have,
00:10:49.150 --> 00:10:51.220
you've become a Christian, then
00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:53.220
you can say of yourself, "I have
00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:55.060
been saved," and you point to
00:10:55.060 --> 00:10:57.210
the day when you trusted Christ.
00:10:57.210 --> 00:10:59.060
But the Bible also teaches
00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:01.230
that once you're saved,
00:11:01.230 --> 00:11:03.020
you continue being saved.
00:11:03.020 --> 00:11:04.280
You're saved eternally but it's
00:11:04.280 --> 00:11:06.170
true that once you have been
00:11:06.170 --> 00:11:08.160
saved, as you go forward in your
00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:10.200
life, you are being saved.
00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:13.150
And one day, the Scripture says,
00:11:13.150 --> 00:11:14.180
you're gonna stand before the
00:11:14.180 --> 00:11:16.010
Lord and you're gonna be just
00:11:16.010 --> 00:11:17.250
like him and then the Bible says
00:11:17.250 --> 00:11:19.080
you will be ultimately saved.
00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:21.010
So here's the way that works.
00:11:21.010 --> 00:11:23.110
You are saved from your sin,
00:11:23.110 --> 00:11:25.240
from the very penalty of sin.
00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:28.130
During your lifetime
00:11:28.130 --> 00:11:29.190
as a Christian, you're gradually
00:11:29.190 --> 00:11:30.270
being saved from the power
00:11:30.270 --> 00:11:32.090
of sin over your life and
00:11:32.090 --> 00:11:34.120
ultimately, one day, praise God,
00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.290
we're all gonna be saved
00:11:35.290 --> 00:11:37.080
from the very presence of sin.
00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:39.030
There won't even be any sin.
00:11:39.050 --> 00:11:42.050
But please hear me.
00:11:42.050 --> 00:11:44.020
If you get stuck in the past
00:11:44.020 --> 00:11:45.230
tense, you won't be the kind
00:11:46.020 --> 00:11:49.020
of person who can have a life
00:11:49.020 --> 00:11:50.270
beyond amazing because salvation
00:11:50.270 --> 00:11:53.230
is more than just
00:11:53.230 --> 00:11:54.240
"I have been saved."
00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:56.250
It's "I am being saved
00:11:56.250 --> 00:11:57.270
and I ultimately will be saved."
00:11:57.270 --> 00:11:58.280
That's why Paul said
00:11:58.280 --> 00:12:01.220
to the Romans that
00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:03.170
"now is our salvation nearer
00:12:03.170 --> 00:12:06.020
than when we believed."
00:12:06.020 --> 00:12:07.130
What was he talking about?
00:12:07.130 --> 00:12:09.040
Not past salvation;
00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:10.080
that was already done.
00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:11.090
Not present salvation;
00:12:11.090 --> 00:12:12.060
they were all living that.
00:12:12.060 --> 00:12:13.060
The salvation of the future when
00:12:13.060 --> 00:12:14.130
you stand before the Lord
00:12:14.130 --> 00:12:15.280
and you are made like unto him.
00:12:15.280 --> 00:12:17.290
Sometimes we miss what God
00:12:17.290 --> 00:12:19.240
wants for us in the Christian
00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:21.080
experience because we misapply
00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.020
the concept of works.
00:12:23.020 --> 00:12:25.290
Here's the dilemma
00:12:25.290 --> 00:12:26.270
that people have.
00:12:26.270 --> 00:12:28.180
I'm supposed to be saved
00:12:28.180 --> 00:12:29.290
but it's not by works.
00:12:30.070 --> 00:12:33.070
But then I am saved.
00:12:33.070 --> 00:12:34.070
Now what do I do?
00:12:34.070 --> 00:12:36.100
So let me help you with that.
00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:37.030
Two passages of Scripture
00:12:37.030 --> 00:12:38.080
that are very clear.
00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:39.080
First of all, Ephesians 2:8-9,
00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:41.200
notice: "For by grace you have
00:12:41.200 --> 00:12:43.130
been saved through faith,
00:12:43.130 --> 00:12:45.150
and that not of yourselves;
00:12:45.150 --> 00:12:47.060
it is the gift of God,"
00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.120
now watch this, "not of works,
00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:49.270
lest any man should boast."
00:12:51.020 --> 00:12:54.020
Or try this one.
00:12:54.020 --> 00:12:55.040
Paul wrote to Titus, his young
00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:56.190
protégé and he said, "Not by
00:12:56.190 --> 00:12:58.000
works of righteousness which we
00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:59.280
have done, but according to his
00:12:59.280 --> 00:13:01.150
mercy he saved us, through the
00:13:01.150 --> 00:13:03.280
washing of regeneration and the
00:13:03.280 --> 00:13:05.060
renewing of the Holy Spirit."
00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:06.270
Paul, in both of these passages,
00:13:06.270 --> 00:13:09.190
reminds us clearly,
00:13:09.190 --> 00:13:10.280
indelibly, unconditionally,
00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:13.260
there is no such thing
00:13:13.260 --> 00:13:14.250
as being saved by works.
00:13:14.250 --> 00:13:16.080
You can't do enough works
00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:17.270
to become a Christian.
00:13:17.270 --> 00:13:19.240
You were saved by the grace
00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.250
of God, apart from works.
00:13:20.250 --> 00:13:22.200
Everybody got that?
00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:24.010
All right, now don't stop here
00:13:24.010 --> 00:13:25.030
because after Ephesians 2:8-9
00:13:26.040 --> 00:13:29.040
comes Ephesians 2:10.
00:13:29.040 --> 00:13:31.110
Have you read that?
00:13:31.110 --> 00:13:33.010
"For we are His workmanship,
00:13:33.010 --> 00:13:35.140
created in Christ Jesus for good
00:13:35.140 --> 00:13:38.070
works, which God prepared
00:13:38.070 --> 00:13:40.120
beforehand that
00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:41.180
we should walk in them."
00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:43.240
Not saved by good works
00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:46.150
but you're saved for good works.
00:13:46.280 --> 00:13:49.280
Same thing with Titus chapter 3.
00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:53.000
Here's verse 8 and same chapter.
00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.290
This is even more powerful.
00:13:54.290 --> 00:13:56.160
"This is a faithful saying,
00:13:56.160 --> 00:13:57.220
and these things I want you
00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.230
to affirm constantly,
00:13:58.230 --> 00:13:59.240
that those who have believed
00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:01.140
in God should be careful
00:14:01.140 --> 00:14:03.170
to maintain good works.
00:14:03.170 --> 00:14:06.080
These things are good
00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.120
and profitable to men."
00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:09.290
So sometimes, we don't get what
00:14:09.290 --> 00:14:11.150
we should get out of this life
00:14:11.150 --> 00:14:13.090
as Christians because
00:14:13.090 --> 00:14:15.030
we misunderstand salvation and
00:14:15.030 --> 00:14:17.280
we think it's already over, that
00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:19.170
everything has happened.
00:14:19.170 --> 00:14:21.120
Sometimes, we don't get it right
00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:22.190
because we misunderstand
00:14:22.190 --> 00:14:23.290
how works are so wonderfully
00:14:23.290 --> 00:14:25.260
commanded of us as believers.
00:14:25.260 --> 00:14:28.180
And here's the third one, and
00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:29.250
this is a little more mysterious
00:14:29.250 --> 00:14:31.000
but if you've been around the
00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:32.050
church as long as I have,
00:14:32.050 --> 00:14:33.110
you'll get this one in a hurry.
00:14:33.110 --> 00:14:34.100
Sometimes, it's mistaken idea
00:14:34.150 --> 00:14:37.150
of spirituality.
00:14:37.150 --> 00:14:39.090
Here's what I know, men
00:14:39.090 --> 00:14:40.230
and women, after all these years
00:14:40.230 --> 00:14:42.020
of studying this and I wanna be
00:14:42.020 --> 00:14:43.070
very clear about this.
00:14:43.070 --> 00:14:44.140
The New Testament calls upon
00:14:44.140 --> 00:14:46.090
Christians to take action.
00:14:46.090 --> 00:14:48.190
It does not tell us that
00:14:48.190 --> 00:14:50.060
the work of sanctification
00:14:50.060 --> 00:14:51.160
is going to be done for us.
00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:54.110
We are in the good fight
00:14:54.110 --> 00:14:55.250
of faith and we have
00:14:55.250 --> 00:14:56.270
to do the fighting.
00:14:56.270 --> 00:14:58.160
But thank God we're unable to do
00:14:58.160 --> 00:14:59.210
it for the moment we believe and
00:14:59.210 --> 00:15:01.080
are justified by faith, we're
00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:02.240
born again by the Spirit of God,
00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:04.110
we get the ability.
00:15:04.110 --> 00:15:06.070
The New Testament method
00:15:06.070 --> 00:15:07.100
of sanctification
00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:08.100
is to remind us of that.
00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.130
Now, having been reminded of it,
00:15:09.130 --> 00:15:10.200
let's go do it.
00:15:11.260 --> 00:15:14.260
Now, let me hurry quickly to the
00:15:14.260 --> 00:15:16.110
roadmap of a life beyond amazing
00:15:16.110 --> 00:15:19.060
and I want you, if you have
00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:20.100
your Bibles, to turn to the
00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:21.140
2nd chapter of Philippians.
00:15:21.210 --> 00:15:24.210
I love the book of Philippians.
00:15:24.210 --> 00:15:26.010
Do you love Philippians?
00:15:26.010 --> 00:15:27.140
Yes, what a great book this is.
00:15:27.140 --> 00:15:28.180
It seems like it speaks
00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:29.230
to so many things.
00:15:29.230 --> 00:15:31.230
But I'm gonna read to you these
00:15:31.230 --> 00:15:33.010
verses and, having explained to
00:15:33.010 --> 00:15:34.250
you what I've explained to you,
00:15:34.250 --> 00:15:35.230
you'll sort of get this now in
00:15:35.230 --> 00:15:36.190
the way that I hoped you
00:15:36.190 --> 00:15:38.200
would get it.
00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:39.260
Philippians 2:12-13: "Therefore,
00:15:39.260 --> 00:15:42.210
my beloved, as you have always
00:15:42.210 --> 00:15:44.030
obeyed, not as in my presence
00:15:44.030 --> 00:15:46.240
only, but now much more in my
00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:48.070
absence," listen carefully,
00:15:48.070 --> 00:15:50.240
"work out your own salvation
00:15:50.260 --> 00:15:53.260
with fear and trembling; for it
00:15:53.260 --> 00:15:56.010
is God who works in you both
00:15:56.010 --> 00:15:58.010
to will and to do
00:15:58.010 --> 00:16:00.240
for His good pleasure."
00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.290
And you're gonna say, "Wait a
00:16:02.290 --> 00:16:03.240
minute, didn't you just tell me
00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.260
you don't have to work
00:16:04.260 --> 00:16:05.290
for your salvation?"
00:16:05.290 --> 00:16:07.080
Yes, I did because that's
00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.220
what the Bible says
00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.290
and I'm not contradicting it.
00:16:09.290 --> 00:16:11.040
You're just
00:16:11.040 --> 00:16:12.000
not reading carefully.
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:14.120
It doesn't say,
00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.140
"Work for your salvation."
00:16:15.140 --> 00:16:17.100
It says, "Work out
00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.220
your salvation."
00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:20.080
Some of you are so opposed
00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:21.130
to work out,
00:16:21.130 --> 00:16:22.100
you won't even read that.
00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.250
[congregation laughing]
00:16:23.250 --> 00:16:26.130
In that same text,
00:16:26.130 --> 00:16:27.170
it says, "Work out your own
00:16:27.170 --> 00:16:29.090
salvation with fear and
00:16:29.090 --> 00:16:30.150
trembling; because
00:16:30.150 --> 00:16:31.260
it is God who works in you."
00:16:32.250 --> 00:16:35.250
So we're to work out
00:16:35.250 --> 00:16:37.270
what God has worked in.
00:16:37.270 --> 00:16:40.140
God has given us these things
00:16:40.140 --> 00:16:42.170
that we need.
00:16:42.170 --> 00:16:44.130
But that doesn't mean
00:16:44.130 --> 00:16:45.220
we just sit and hold them.
00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:48.120
What is really responsible
00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:49.270
for your Christian walk,
00:16:49.270 --> 00:16:51.290
your Christian growth?
00:16:51.290 --> 00:16:53.050
Is it just sit back and wait for
00:16:53.050 --> 00:16:54.080
the Holy Spirit to zap you?
00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:57.030
How many have been zapped?
00:16:57.090 --> 00:17:00.110
No, and we wonder,
00:17:00.110 --> 00:17:02.060
"Why isn't this working."
00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:03.070
Well, we're looking
00:17:03.070 --> 00:17:04.050
for the wrong thing.
00:17:04.050 --> 00:17:06.290
Each generation of believers
00:17:06.290 --> 00:17:08.070
carries on its own debate
00:17:08.070 --> 00:17:10.080
over this question.
00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:11.150
But here's what I
00:17:11.150 --> 00:17:12.110
want you to know.
00:17:12.110 --> 00:17:13.080
The Bible holds the tension
00:17:13.080 --> 00:17:14.190
between man's role and God's
00:17:14.190 --> 00:17:16.110
role in perfect balance.
00:17:16.110 --> 00:17:19.050
When you became
00:17:19.050 --> 00:17:20.050
a Christian, you got everything
00:17:20.050 --> 00:17:21.270
you need for life in godliness.
00:17:21.270 --> 00:17:23.220
How many of you believe that?
00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:25.040
The Bible says it.
00:17:25.040 --> 00:17:26.030
We have to believe it.
00:17:26.030 --> 00:17:26.260
He said, "God gave us."
00:17:26.260 --> 00:17:27.240
What did he do?
00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:28.170
He put it in us.
00:17:28.170 --> 00:17:29.190
Like he puts ore in the earth,
00:17:29.190 --> 00:17:32.060
he puts these things in us.
00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:34.230
Not only that, the Scripture
00:17:34.230 --> 00:17:36.030
says he gives us
00:17:36.030 --> 00:17:37.220
precious promises.
00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:39.140
What is that?
00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:40.080
That's the Bible, the guidebook.
00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:42.140
He gives us everything we need
00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:44.140
for a life in godliness and then
00:17:44.140 --> 00:17:45.090
on top of that, he gives us
00:17:45.090 --> 00:17:46.170
these precious promises
00:17:46.170 --> 00:17:48.000
to help us.
00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.200
Here in Philippians, remember it
00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.200
says, "Work out your salvation
00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:51.270
with fear and trembling;
00:17:51.270 --> 00:17:53.150
for it's God who works
00:17:53.150 --> 00:17:54.170
in you both to will and to do
00:17:54.170 --> 00:17:55.140
of his good purpose."
00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.160
What would that look like?
00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:58.220
Well, let me just tell you
00:17:58.220 --> 00:18:00.280
what it would look like.
00:18:00.280 --> 00:18:02.090
Verse 14 comes next:
00:18:02.090 --> 00:18:04.190
"Do all things without
00:18:04.190 --> 00:18:06.130
complaining and disputing."
00:18:06.130 --> 00:18:09.090
That's a good place to start.
00:18:09.090 --> 00:18:10.240
How many of you could
00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.210
use a little help there?
00:18:11.210 --> 00:18:12.260
You probably complained
00:18:12.260 --> 00:18:13.260
'cause you couldn't find
00:18:13.260 --> 00:18:14.220
your parking place this week.
00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:16.220
And I know some of you
00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:17.190
complained 'cause somebody
00:18:17.190 --> 00:18:18.170
sat in your seat when you came
00:18:18.170 --> 00:18:19.190
to church this morning.
00:18:19.190 --> 00:18:21.100
So you all need some work,
00:18:21.100 --> 00:18:22.170
that's what I'm telling you.
00:18:22.170 --> 00:18:24.150
The reason why we need to work
00:18:24.150 --> 00:18:25.260
out what God has worked in
00:18:25.260 --> 00:18:28.020
is 'cause it's not
00:18:28.020 --> 00:18:28.290
all working, amen?
00:18:30.070 --> 00:18:33.070
And it goes on to say that when
00:18:33.070 --> 00:18:34.100
we do this, we'll become
00:18:34.100 --> 00:18:36.200
blameless and harmless, children
00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.050
of God without fault in the
00:18:38.050 --> 00:18:39.100
midst of a crooked and perverse
00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:40.260
generation, among whom you shine
00:18:40.260 --> 00:18:42.150
as lights in this world."
00:18:42.150 --> 00:18:45.020
The Bible says that the reason
00:18:45.020 --> 00:18:46.050
we're not making more of an
00:18:46.050 --> 00:18:47.060
impact on the world, why we're
00:18:47.060 --> 00:18:48.120
not shining as light, is because
00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:49.140
we haven't taken seriously
00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:50.220
the opportunity we have to take
00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:52.110
the things that God has given us
00:18:52.110 --> 00:18:53.210
and max them out for his glory
00:18:53.210 --> 00:18:56.070
and for our good.
00:18:56.070 --> 00:18:58.250
We're not just gonna sit
00:18:58.250 --> 00:19:00.030
and wait for God to make us
00:19:00.030 --> 00:19:01.170
the people
00:19:01.170 --> 00:19:02.280
that he's called us to be.
00:19:02.280 --> 00:19:04.010
The Bible won't allow that.
00:19:04.010 --> 00:19:05.200
If you don't know that, there's
00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.240
hundreds of other Scriptures I
00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:08.060
could bring to you that call us
00:19:08.060 --> 00:19:10.030
to put on the new life,
00:19:10.030 --> 00:19:11.250
to take off the old life,
00:19:11.250 --> 00:19:13.150
to walk in holiness.
00:19:13.150 --> 00:19:14.290
These are commands.
00:19:14.290 --> 00:19:16.010
These are not suggestions.
00:19:16.010 --> 00:19:18.290
So what is character?
00:19:18.290 --> 00:19:20.040
What will we look like
00:19:20.040 --> 00:19:21.060
if we develop
00:19:21.060 --> 00:19:22.000
this character in our life?
00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.140
People of strong character
00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:24.220
are usually people
00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.220
that are very disciplined.
00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:27.160
They have fortitude, integrity,
00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:28.250
ethical strength.
00:19:28.250 --> 00:19:31.010
These are attributes
00:19:31.010 --> 00:19:32.070
that will distinguish you
00:19:32.070 --> 00:19:33.120
from one another.
00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:34.110
These are the things
00:19:34.110 --> 00:19:35.130
that make you shine as a light
00:19:35.130 --> 00:19:36.130
in the darkness.
00:19:36.130 --> 00:19:37.110
You're a different
00:19:37.110 --> 00:19:38.100
kind of person.
00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:39.120
Character is an attitude
00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:40.240
that every young person, every
00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.260
middle-aged person, and every
00:19:41.260 --> 00:19:44.090
old person should have embedded
00:19:44.090 --> 00:19:45.270
in their minds.
00:19:45.270 --> 00:19:47.030
Character is returning extra
00:19:47.030 --> 00:19:48.110
change at the grocery store.
00:19:48.110 --> 00:19:50.040
Character is keeping
00:19:50.040 --> 00:19:51.030
appointments and being on time.
00:19:51.030 --> 00:19:53.030
Character is honoring
00:19:53.030 --> 00:19:54.130
your commitments
00:19:54.130 --> 00:19:55.120
and honoring your word.
00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:56.280
Character is choosing
00:19:56.280 --> 00:19:58.100
the harder right instead
00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:59.220
of the easier wrong.
00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:01.080
Character is setting priorities
00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:02.170
that honor God and family
00:20:02.170 --> 00:20:04.110
and country.
00:20:04.110 --> 00:20:06.150
Character in marriage is working
00:20:06.150 --> 00:20:08.090
through the tough times rather
00:20:08.090 --> 00:20:09.240
than throwing in the towel
00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:11.020
and looking for divorce.
00:20:11.020 --> 00:20:12.190
Character is being committed to
00:20:12.190 --> 00:20:13.270
the wellbeing of your family and
00:20:13.270 --> 00:20:15.060
friends, associates and others,
00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:17.090
even if it's personally costly.
00:20:17.090 --> 00:20:18.250
And character is setting
00:20:18.250 --> 00:20:20.210
a good example.
00:20:20.210 --> 00:20:21.270
A married person of character
00:20:21.270 --> 00:20:23.100
acts married all the time.
00:20:23.270 --> 00:20:26.270
A person of character
00:20:26.270 --> 00:20:27.250
is self-disciplined
00:20:27.250 --> 00:20:28.230
and self-controlled.
00:20:28.230 --> 00:20:30.030
Character implies the courage
00:20:30.030 --> 00:20:31.050
to stand for what is right, if
00:20:31.050 --> 00:20:32.240
necessary all alone, to oppose
00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:34.270
what is wrong, and to make
00:20:34.270 --> 00:20:36.030
the effort to discern
00:20:36.030 --> 00:20:37.160
the difference.
00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.200
Character is being truthful in
00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.280
all things while being sensitive
00:20:39.280 --> 00:20:41.040
to the fact that sometimes truth
00:20:41.040 --> 00:20:42.130
hurts and needs not be spoken.
00:20:43.110 --> 00:20:46.110
Character is being selfless
00:20:46.110 --> 00:20:48.140
rather than selfish.
00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:50.280
Remember, character is the only
00:20:50.280 --> 00:20:53.010
thing that goes in the casket
00:20:53.010 --> 00:20:54.090
with you to the hereafter.
00:20:54.090 --> 00:20:56.280
And believe it or not,
00:20:56.280 --> 00:20:57.280
it's the only thing that people
00:20:57.280 --> 00:20:59.020
will remember about you
00:20:59.020 --> 00:21:00.210
when you're gone.
00:21:00.210 --> 00:21:02.240
And it should be something
00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:04.000
we desperately
00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.120
want to develop in our lives.
00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:07.220
Here's where I'm at, folks.
00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.240
I can tell you we used to talk
00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:11.060
about this years ago.
00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:13.110
We used to talk about character.
00:21:13.110 --> 00:21:14.150
We used to even teach it
00:21:14.150 --> 00:21:15.190
to our children in school.
00:21:15.190 --> 00:21:17.030
Do you remember that?
00:21:17.030 --> 00:21:18.110
We had courses in character.
00:21:18.110 --> 00:21:19.240
Not now.
00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.260
We've got characters
00:21:20.260 --> 00:21:21.240
in our school but we don't have
00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.240
any character in our school.
00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:26.080
But that doesn't mean
00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:27.060
we shouldn't do it, does it?
00:21:27.060 --> 00:21:28.080
Because nobody's been
00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.060
doing it recently?
00:21:29.060 --> 00:21:30.100
Would you say that one
00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:31.100
of the great needs we have
00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:32.160
in our culture is more people
00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.180
of character?
00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:35.240
Don't you wanna be
00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.220
a person of character?
00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.140
I know I sure do.
00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.160
I wanna learn everything I can
00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.120
about what it means to be a man
00:21:39.120 --> 00:21:41.100
of God and have character
00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:43.050
because, whether you like it or
00:21:43.050 --> 00:21:45.060
not, at some point people whose
00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:48.020
opinion matters will be paying
00:21:48.020 --> 00:21:50.120
a lot of attention to you
00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:51.260
and to me.
00:21:51.260 --> 00:21:53.170
They'll be watching
00:21:53.170 --> 00:21:54.150
what we do and how we react.
00:21:54.150 --> 00:21:57.060
We might not even know it
00:21:57.060 --> 00:21:58.210
but they'll be looking at you
00:21:58.210 --> 00:21:59.210
for an example because
00:21:59.210 --> 00:22:01.020
they need an example to follow.
00:22:01.020 --> 00:22:03.000
They'll be looking for a leader.
00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:05.070
Maybe the children
00:22:05.070 --> 00:22:06.070
will be looking for parents
00:22:06.070 --> 00:22:07.110
to do the right thing.
00:22:07.110 --> 00:22:09.080
And each time you enter a room,
00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:10.290
each time you go to a practice
00:22:10.290 --> 00:22:12.170
or a meeting, every time you
00:22:12.170 --> 00:22:14.000
involve yourself in the life
00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.150
of another human being, you
00:22:15.150 --> 00:22:17.060
have the opportunity to leave
00:22:17.060 --> 00:22:19.220
a positive legacy behind because
00:22:19.250 --> 00:22:22.250
you're a person of character.
00:22:22.260 --> 00:22:25.260
Ladies and gentlemen,
00:22:25.260 --> 00:22:28.020
what I've been talking about
00:22:28.020 --> 00:22:29.060
is called sanctification.
00:22:29.060 --> 00:22:31.050
And sanctification
00:22:31.050 --> 00:22:32.080
is best defined in this word.
00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:35.010
Sanctification is becoming
00:22:35.010 --> 00:22:36.080
in practice what you
00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:38.000
already are in position.
00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:41.160
Everything God calls us to be,
00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:43.210
we already are in his mind
00:22:43.210 --> 00:22:45.250
but he calls us now to become
00:22:45.250 --> 00:22:48.030
every day what we already
00:22:48.030 --> 00:22:50.060
are in heaven.
00:22:50.060 --> 00:22:52.120
You know, the greatest
00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:53.050
illustration of what
00:22:53.050 --> 00:22:53.280
I've been talking to you
00:22:53.280 --> 00:22:54.260
about today is this.
00:22:54.260 --> 00:22:56.160
Almighty God has loved us before
00:22:56.170 --> 00:22:59.170
the foundation of the world.
00:22:59.170 --> 00:23:02.180
And that would be enough,
00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:04.000
would it not?
00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.140
He loves us.
00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:07.180
But God didn't leave it at that.
00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:09.060
He loved us and he sent us
00:23:10.130 --> 00:23:13.130
his own Son to prove it.
00:23:13.130 --> 00:23:16.010
God took action to demonstrate
00:23:16.010 --> 00:23:18.270
his love to you and to me.
00:23:19.210 --> 00:23:22.210
And if you've never received
00:23:22.210 --> 00:23:23.220
that love because you've never
00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:25.030
understood how much he loves
00:23:25.030 --> 00:23:26.110
you, I'd like to ask you
00:23:26.110 --> 00:23:27.280
to do that today.
00:23:27.280 --> 00:23:29.120
God loves you so much
00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:30.130
that he didn't even keep his own
00:23:30.130 --> 00:23:31.170
Son in heaven with him.
00:23:31.170 --> 00:23:33.010
He sent his only begotten Son to
00:23:33.010 --> 00:23:34.110
this earth, let him become like
00:23:34.110 --> 00:23:35.280
us, and go to the cross and pay
00:23:35.280 --> 00:23:37.140
a penalty for our sin, which we
00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:39.060
could never have paid so
00:23:39.060 --> 00:23:41.240
that we can have a standing
00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:43.080
before the Father.
00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:45.100
If you've never trusted Christ,
00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:47.120
ask yourself this morning,
00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:48.170
"Why not?"
00:23:48.170 --> 00:23:49.290
Maybe it's time for you
00:23:49.290 --> 00:23:50.190
to make that decision,
00:23:50.190 --> 00:23:51.230
- announcer: Dr. Jeremiah
00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.020
will return with one more
00:23:57.020 --> 00:23:58.120
inspirational word to close
00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:59.240
today's "A Life Beyond Amazing"
00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:01.200
- announcer: Discover the steps
00:24:04.270 --> 00:24:05.240
to the life of blessings
00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:07.040
God has for you
00:24:07.040 --> 00:24:08.080
in Dr. David Jeremiah's
00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:09.150
inspiring book,
00:24:09.150 --> 00:24:10.250
"A Life Beyond Amazing:
00:24:10.250 --> 00:24:12.210
9 Decisions That Will Transform
00:24:12.210 --> 00:24:13.290
Your Life Today."
00:24:13.290 --> 00:24:16.030
Order this transformational book
00:24:16.030 --> 00:24:17.260
from Dr. Jeremiah today when you
00:24:17.260 --> 00:24:19.220
give a gift of any amount
00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:21.030
in support of this program,
00:24:21.030 --> 00:24:22.170
and if you give $60 or more,
00:24:22.170 --> 00:24:24.240
Dr. Jeremiah will send you
00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:26.150
in appreciation,
00:24:26.150 --> 00:24:27.230
his comprehensive
00:24:27.230 --> 00:24:29.050
"A Life Beyond Amazing" set.
00:24:29.050 --> 00:24:31.080
It contains his book, his entire
00:24:31.080 --> 00:24:33.080
teaching series on CD or DVD,
00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:35.190
a correlating study guide,
00:24:35.190 --> 00:24:37.010
and the "Life Beyond Amazing"
00:24:37.010 --> 00:24:38.170
Scripture cards.
00:24:38.170 --> 00:24:40.160
Also available, the "30 Days
00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:42.110
to a Life Beyond Amazing"
00:24:42.110 --> 00:24:43.210
workbook.
00:24:43.210 --> 00:24:44.220
Implement the 9 key decisions
00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:46.150
from "A Life Beyond Amazing"
00:24:46.150 --> 00:24:47.290
in powerful and practical ways;
00:24:47.290 --> 00:24:50.110
plus, it includes a DVD
00:24:50.110 --> 00:24:52.070
with video instructions
00:24:52.070 --> 00:24:53.030
from Dr. Jeremiah, available
00:24:53.030 --> 00:24:55.040
on its own for $30 or more
00:24:55.040 --> 00:24:57.110
or as part of
00:24:57.110 --> 00:24:58.160
"A Life Beyond Amazing" set
00:24:58.160 --> 00:25:00.120
for a gift of $85 or more.
00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:03.080
Decide today to start living
00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:05.070
a life beyond what you thought
00:25:05.070 --> 00:25:06.230
possible, a life beyond amazing.
00:25:06.230 --> 00:25:09.100
Order these resources when you
00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:10.200
- announcer: And now, with one
00:25:14.290 --> 00:25:16.030
last word for today's program,
00:25:16.030 --> 00:25:17.250
- Dr. Jeremiah:
00:25:20.280 --> 00:25:21.220
Let me say it again.
00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.200
God intends for your Christian
00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:24.100
life to be amazing.
00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:26.100
However, some Christians
00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:28.000
are not experiencing
00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:29.160
that kind of abundant life.
00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:32.000
And maybe that's you.
00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:34.020
That's the purpose in this
00:25:34.020 --> 00:25:35.060
introductory message you heard
00:25:35.060 --> 00:25:37.040
today about realizing
00:25:37.040 --> 00:25:38.290
a life beyond amazing.
00:25:38.290 --> 00:25:41.050
I want you to overcome
00:25:41.050 --> 00:25:42.150
the roadblocks in your life,
00:25:42.150 --> 00:25:45.070
discover the roadmap, and reap
00:25:45.070 --> 00:25:46.270
the results of the life Christ
00:25:46.270 --> 00:25:49.210
died to provide for you.
00:25:49.290 --> 00:25:52.290
Such a life begins with faith
00:25:52.290 --> 00:25:54.100
in Christ as Lord and Savior
00:25:54.190 --> 00:25:57.190
and continues with knowing
00:25:57.190 --> 00:25:59.070
and trusting in his Word.
00:25:59.070 --> 00:26:01.150
Also, upon request, we would
00:26:01.150 --> 00:26:03.210
like to send you three free
00:26:03.210 --> 00:26:05.270
gifts to encourage you
00:26:05.270 --> 00:26:07.070
on your journey with Christ.
00:26:07.070 --> 00:26:09.170
First, "Life Beyond Amazing"
00:26:09.170 --> 00:26:11.230
Scripture cards to help you stay
00:26:11.230 --> 00:26:13.050
focused every day on the amazing
00:26:13.050 --> 00:26:15.170
life we have in Christ.
00:26:15.170 --> 00:26:17.180
Second, a booklet about knowing
00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:19.080
and living for Christ called,
00:26:19.080 --> 00:26:21.100
"Your Greatest Turning Point,"
00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:22.280
and third, our monthly
00:26:22.280 --> 00:26:24.200
devotional magazine,
00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:26.120
"Turning Points," to encourage
00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:28.040
you with inspiring articles
00:26:28.040 --> 00:26:30.000
and devotionals.
00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:32.100
And we'll send all these gifts
00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:33.140
to you, free of charge,
00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:34.280
if you will contact us here
00:26:34.280 --> 00:26:36.080
- announcer: Next time
00:26:40.190 --> 00:26:41.180
on "Turning Point."
00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.260
- announcer: Dr. Jeremiah
00:26:42.260 --> 00:26:43.280
continues his conversation
00:26:43.280 --> 00:26:45.000
with Bobby Schuller, Mandisa,
00:26:46.190 --> 00:26:49.190
David Green, and Kirk Cousins.
00:26:50.030 --> 00:26:53.030
And he teaches how
00:26:53.030 --> 00:26:54.070
we can make the decision
00:26:54.070 --> 00:26:55.110
- Dr. Jeremiah: God has given
00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:59.060
us that love and he's stored it
00:26:59.060 --> 00:27:00.270
in a reservoir around our heart
00:27:00.270 --> 00:27:02.240
and it's out of that reservoir
00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:05.180
of God's love to us
00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:07.020
- announcer: Thank you
00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:11.060
for being with us today
00:27:11.060 --> 00:27:12.060
for Dr. Jeremiah's series,
00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:13.120
"A Life Beyond Amazing."
00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:15.290
Join us next time
00:27:15.290 --> 00:27:16.290
for Dr. Jeremiah's message,
00:27:16.290 --> 00:27:18.040
"A Life of Love,"
00:27:18.040 --> 00:27:20.010

Menu Top

A Life Beyond Amazing

A Life Beyond Amazing

Video Keywords

Menu Top

A Life Beyond Amazing

A Life Beyond Amazing

Video Keywords

Stay Up to Date With Our Newsletter